BNSF, in partnership with the International Association of Sheet, Metal, Air and Transportation Workers’ – Transportation Division (Yardmasters) announced on May 16 that members of the labor union have ratified a new five-year collective bargaining agreement with the Class I railroad.
Members of the union first reached a tentative agreement, which covers more than 320 yardmasters, on April 11.
According to BNSF, the new agreement, “follows the national pattern along with other work rule/process modernization.” Major terms of the tentative agreement include:
- “Wage increases of 18.8% compounded over five years. Based on current inflation projections, this will translate to real wage growth for covered railroaders with pay certainty for the life of the contract.
- “Enhancements to world-class health and welfare benefits with no increase to the employee contribution rate. In 2025, health care premiums will decrease to about $277/month, well below the national average of more than $500/month for employer-provided family coverage.
- “Access to more paid vacation time for employees earlier in their careers.
- “Modernization of work rules and processes, including paid sick leave, a weekly guaranteed rest day for extra board employees, electronic claim and grievance handling and more.”
“This ratification is affirmation of all the hard work and collaboration that went into this strong agreement that’s good for both our employees and our company,” said BNSF President and CEO Katie Farmer. “We thank SMART-YM’s leaders and members for their support and for the important role they play in delivering our nation’s freight.”
“Yardmasters have made significant progress with the ratification of this contract,” said General Chairman, Yardmasters, Matthew Burkart. “Key benefits include five paid sick days, earlier vacation accrual, and an assigned rest day for extra board Yardmasters. These are the first major gains for the craft since 1997.”
With this most recent ratification by the Yardmasters, BNSF says 45% of its union-represented workforce now has new five0year agreements through this latest bargaining round.
